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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-11-1999 MINUTES OF TOWN BOARD MEETING TUESDAY, MAY 11, 1999 AT 7:30 P.M. Those present: Teresa M. Robinson, Supervisor Ellard L. Sovocool, Councilman Daniel J. Carey, Councilman Donald N. Palmer, Councilman Donald F. Scheffler, Councilman Jeff Pomeroy, Attorney Also present: George Totman, Richard Case, Mark Gunn Moved by Councilman Scheffler, seconded by Councilman Palmer, to accept the minutes of the April 13, 1999 minutes. Ayes - Sovocool, Carey, Palmer, Scheffler, Robinson. Claim Nos. 93 -116 of the General Fund in the amount of $7,916.10 were presented for audit. Moved by Councilman Carey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler, to approve the General Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Carey, Palmer, Scheffler, Robinson. Claim Nos. 76 -96 of the Highway Fund in the amount of $30,637.77 were presented for audit. Moved by Councilman Sovocool, seconded by Councilman Carey, to approve the Highway Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Carey, Palmer, Scheffler, Robinson. Claim Nos.___ of the Special Grant (HUD) Fund in the amount of $_____ were presented for audit. (Information not available at time minutes were transcribed. Will insert when made available to Clerk's office.) Moved by Councilman Palmer, seconded by Councilman Sovocool, to approve the HUD Bills for payment. Ayes - Sovocool, Carey, Palmer, Scheffler, Robinson. SUPERVISOR ROBINSON- Liz doesn't have her monthly report here. But she's interested in attending the next meeting, she hopes. She's doing very well, and trying to keep up with her report. MARK GUNN, CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER- Building permits are up for April. We had a total of 11 for April 1999, and 5 for last year. Pg.2 - Town Board Meeting - May 11, 1999 Mr. Gunn reported that he had sent our 130 zoning violation letters. So far the response had been positive. He would be doing a second drive-through to recheck. He also reported on upcoming training sessions. He said that Attorney Casullo had found no problems with the fee schedule. CLERK PIERSON- There is one thing that you have to do and that is change the code to include the ZBA and the Planning Board as having access to all these fees. Right now it just mentions the Planning Board. He said that we could do that at a later date. We thought it would be a good thing to start it on June 1st rather than the middle of the month. RESOLUTION #21 - ADOPT NEW FEES FOR VARIOUS PERMITS/LICENSES PURS UANT TO THE GROTON LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT CODE EFFECTIVE JUNE 1, 1999 Moved by Councilman Carey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler. Ayes - Sovocool, Carey, Palmer, Scheffler, Robinson. WHEREAS , on May 8, 1995, the Town Board of the Town of Groton passed Local Law No. 2 for the year 1995, which substantially amended the Land Use and Development Code of the Town of Groton; and WHEREAS , said Land Use and Development Code contains a provision which states that all fees for licenses and permits required under said Code be established by resolution of the town board; and WHEREAS , the Town of Groton is desirous of establishing new fees for certain licenses and permits required pursuant to the amended Land Use and Development Code of the Town of Groton, and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Groton hereby establishes the following fee schedule for certain licenses and permits under the authority granted to the Board by the Land Use and Development code of the Town of Groton: TOWN OF GROTON ZONING FEE SCHEDULE Building Permit Fee: $2.50 Per $1000 of Construction Cost Building Permit Renewals: $2.50 Per $1000 of remaining construction cost and upon approval by zoning officer. Agricultural Buildings:.............$ 25.00 Certificate of Occupancy:.............No Charge Flood Zone Certification:...........$ 10.00 May 11, 1999 - Town Board Minutes - Pg.3 Certificate of Conformance:.........$ 40.00 Cellular Tower:.....................$ 2.50 Per $1000 of Construction Cost Demolition Permit:..................$ 25.00 Site Plan Review - Short:...........$ 20.00 Site Plan Review - Conventional:....$ 40.00 Special Permit:.....................$ 40.00 Following Site Plan Approval Junk Yard License:..................$ 25.00 Following Site Plan Approval Junk Yard Annual Inspection:........$ 25.00 Application for Sign:...............$ 10.00 Subdivision - Minor:................$ 30.00 Major:................$ 50.00 plus $20 Per Lot Rural:................$ 20.00 Boundary Change:......$ 20.00 Flood Hazard Area Comb. District:...$ 40.00 Planned Unit Development:...........$125.00 Application for Variance:...........$ 25.00 Additional Fees: a) If a public hearing is required, the applicant shall pay the cost of advertising fees. b) Costs incurred by the Town of Groton for engineering, planning, legal and other necessary expenses for the purpose of reviewing any application with regard to an item covered by this fee schedule shall be paid by the applicant. c) The applicant shall be responsible for costs incurred by the Town of Groton for the review and/or preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement if said statement is necessary. When Fees Are To Be Paid: All fees required by this fee schedule shall be paid to the Town of Groton at the time the application is presented. Special Permit fee shall be paid following Site Plan Review and prior to issuance of the Permit. No permit/certificate will be issued until all fees, costs, and/or expenses are paid in full; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED , that the cost for permits/licenses stated in this fee schedule shall supersede any fee schedule that currently is in effect on June 1, 1999. RICHARD CASE, HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT- At the present time the Highway Department has dismounted snow fighting equipment that is harnessed to vehicles needed to perform road building and maintenance programs. Corrosion to plows, spreaders, truck frames and dump bodies is now being addressed. This is done in an effort to prolong the life-span of these pieces of equipment and possible locate any repairs that need to be done. Shoulder maintenance and reconstruction is now under way. Trees and brush continue to be cut and removed from the highway right-of-way. Cemetery Lane has been grader-honed. More gravel is planned to be added at a later date. The highway crew has cleared approximately 80% of the trees and Pg.4 - Town Board Meeting - May 11, 1999 brush that were hindering the snowplow operations during wet, heavy snow conditions. I have contacted Tompkins County Highway Department in regards to the "No Parking" signs that are to be posted on Old Peruville Road. The sign foreman has assured me he is ready and as soon as he receives the work order from Mr. Hungerford he will complete the job. At the time I placed the call, Mr. Hungerford was on maneuvers with the Reserves. Trash Day took place on April 24th and appears to have been a success. Jerry Holl and the employees of both the Town and Village Highway crews are to be commended for running a safe and efficient operation. April 21st and 22nd all Town of Groton Highway employees attended the US Department of Labor's Mine and Health Safety Course sponsored by Cortland County Highway Department at the Homer Fire Department Training Center. All employees successfully completed the course and their certifications have been placed in the on-going personnel safety file. The Town took delivery of the Highway Department's new pick-up truck on May 5th. The vehicle has been registered, insured and placed in service. The radio and other gear will be installed when time allows. I enjoyed the opportunity to provide the spring tour for the Town Board members and Supervisor. The supervisor and Town Board's interest in highway related projects is certainly a benefit to the residents of the Town of Groton. For those who couldn't attend, I am more than willing to give a quick tour of current projects and those planned for the future. Your support has been greatly appreciated. COLLEEN D. PIERSON, TOWN CLERK/TAX COLLECTOR- Submitted her Town Clerk's monthly report and her Tax Collector's monthly report for the Board's review. Clerk Pierson provided the Board with copies of the 1999 - 2004 Transportation Improvement Program Draft received from the Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council. The purpose of the Document is to provide a general description of the transportation planning activities to be accomplished during the period from October 1, 1999 through September 30, 2004 utilizing Federal funds. ARLAND HEFFRON & ALTON ALEXANDER, TOWN JUSTICES- Submitted their monthly report for the Board's review. Discussion was held on the subject of summer youth workers. Supervisor Robinson indicated that there would be at least three youths hired by the Town, two for the Highway Department and one for the Town Clerk. May 11, 1999 - Town Board Minutes - Pg.5 RESOLUTION #22 - SET WAGE FOR SUMMER YOUTH WORKERS Moved by Councilman Scheffler, seconded by Councilman Palmer Ayes - Sovocool, Carey, Palmer, Scheffler, Robinson. Resolved , that the Town Board does hereby set the wage for Summer Youth Workers at $5.15 per hour. A letter was received from Terry Hollenbeck and Julie Graham, election inspectors, asking that the Town Board increase the rate of pay for its election inspectors to be equitable with what is paid in the rest of the county. The current rate of pay is $5.15 per hour while other towns in the county pay a minimum of $6.25 per hour. Discussion was held on duties and time worked. Clerk Pierson said that there was $5000 budgeted and there was always excess money left in this account every year, so there should be enough money budgeted to cover a raise. RESOLUTION #23 - SET HOURLY RATE FOR ELECTION INSPECTORS Moved by Councilman Palmer, seconded by Councilman Sovocool Ayes - Sovocool, Carey, Palmer, Scheffler, Robinson Resolved , that the Town Board does hereby set the hourly rate for Election Inspectors at $6.25 per hour. LETTER OF RESIGNATION RECEIVED FROM MARY ADAMS- Dated 4/19/99: "I'm sending in my resignation from the Groton Zoning Board, effective 4/18/99. I've enjoyed working with all of you but I feel there are others in the community that are more knowledgeable about the many problems that come before the board than I am. Much success in any encounters that you may face in the future." CAYUGA LAKE WATERSHED INTERMUNICIPAL ORGANIZATION- was discussed. The organization is asking for cooperation and a delegate. Supervisor Robinson Pg.6 - Town Board Meeting - May 11, 1999 explained that money had been received from the federal government for a study of the Cayuga Lake watershed. She said that she and Lyle Raymond had been attending meetings but were not able to vote since they were not yet members. RESOLUTION #24 - ENDORSE CAYUGA LAKE WATERSHED STUDY Moved by Councilman Carey, seconded by Councilman Scheffler. Ayes - Sovocool, Carey, Palmer, Scheffler, Robinson. Resolved , that the Town Board does hereby endorse the Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization study for Cayuga Lake, and does hereby appoint Teresa Robinson as delegate, and Lyle Raymond as alternate to said Intermunicipal Organization. GEORGE TOTMAN, COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE- Reported that the Village of Groton would be receiving $2,500.00 for Main Street garbage receptacles, and another $2,350.00 on behalf of the Groton Hotel from the Commercial Center Revitalization Program. He had nothing more to report on as most things were in committee. Councilman Carey inquired about the status of the Town Clerks' problems with County in relation to tax collection. Clerk Pierson said that progress had been made and final decisions would be made at the Municipal Official's Association Meeting to be held Monday, May 24th at 7 PM at the Lehigh Valley House in Ithaca. The meeting was being held on this night to make it possible for County Representatives to attend. Councilman Carey inquired if there was a possibility that the Town could chip up brush and limbs for people, maybe once a week. Discussion was held on the subject and what other towns do. It was generally felt that this would be something more for Village people than Town people. Councilman Carey inquired about the disposal of the waste in the holding tanks in front of the Highway Building (discussed in April). Rick Case said that Stinky's Tank Service was used which was also used by other towns with the same type of tanks. He has scheduled to pump again in six months. Supervisor Robinson provided a copy of a letter that was published in the paper concerning the Town's participation in a Small Cities Community Development Block Grant program for the purpose of ensuring fair housing and prevent discrimination in the sale, rental and/or financing of housing in the Town of Groton. Clerk Pierson asked what was going to be done with the Cable Franchise Negotiations. There is a deadline of May 12th on it. May 11, 1999 - Town Board Minutes - Pg.7 Discussion was held on the subject. It was decided that Attorney Casullo should look over the contract before the Town signs it. Correspondence: From Town of Dryden: Notice of Public Hearing, Tuesday, May 18th, 1999 concerning Site Plan Review for approval of elder cottage at 1049 Peruville Road, Town of Dryden. Memo from Frank P. Proto, Tompkins County Board of Representatives reminding the Town of the importance of flying the POW/MIA flag on municipal facilities. (Town of Groton already does this). Tompkins County Department of Administration: Seeking representatives to the Public Information Advisory Board, an official advisory body to the Board of Representatives. Cornell Cooperative Extension: Series of training programs: Thursday, June 3rd, a topic for County boards, and Thursday, June 17th, a program for town clerks. Village of Groton: "At the Village Board meeting held on Monday, April 19, 1999, the Board of Trustees adopted a resolution, subject to permissive referendum, to abolish the position of Village Justice at the end of the current term. Assuming no petitions are filed to put this matter to vote, there will no longer be a Village Court after the first Monday in April of 2003." Time Warner Cable Social Contact Progress Report for 1998. Tompkins County Office for the Aging Food Pantry Study - March 1999. Survey of the Personal Emergency Response System (PERS). Thoma Development Newsletter. From the Planning Department - "County Planner" December 1998 issue, outlining events of 1998. Memo from Town Clerk to all employees regarding Custodial Policy. Understanding the Equalization Rate. From Tompkins County Youth Bureau: State Aid and Municipal Job Fund, amounts for 1999 and contract for these funds. New York State archives and Records Administration (SARA) - Region 6 Access software users' group meeting, May 24th, 12:30, Binghamton, concerning using Access software for a variety of records management applications. Pg.8 - Town Board Meeting - May 11, 1999 Fingerlakes Aquaculture fact sheet - new fish farm being built in Village of Groton. There being no further business, Councilman Sovocool moved to adjourn at 8:30 PM, seconded by Councilman Scheffler. Unanimous. Colleen D. Pierson Town ClerK